In Loving Memory of Genowefa "Gienia" Markowski

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Genowefa “Gienia” Markowski, who peacefully left us on July 24th, 2025, at Rocky Mountain Village. Gienia was born on February 17th, 1938, in Horodylow, Poland.

Gienia’s greatest accomplishment in life was being a mother to her son, Andrzej, a role she cherished deeply.

In 1988, Gienia fell in love while in Germany—with a Canadian man named Bronislaw Markowski. After meeting Bronislaw, she made the courageous decision to move to Canada to begin a new life with him. The couple married in 1989, and Fernie became her new home—a place where they built a life together. Throughout her time in Fernie, Gienia embraced the challenges of learning a new language, finding help from the young boys across the street, who quickly became her family.

Gienia had a deep love for her garden, where she found peace and joy. The time she spent in her yard, often with friends by her side, brought her great happiness. Above all, the love and laughter of her family were what she treasured most, and she loved every moment spent with them both in Fernie and in Poland.

Gienia is predeceased by her husband, Bronislaw Markowski; her son, Andrzej Ptasznik; her brother, Bronislaw Krutnik; and her sister, Jaroslawa Gluszko.

She is survived by her sister, Krystyna Klobuszynska; her brother, Stanislaw Krutnik; her daughter-in-law, Jolanta Bulawska; Jolanta’s sons—Bartosz, Lukasz, and Kamil—as well as many other beloved family members and friends in Poland.

“Grandma” will be deeply missed by her Fernie family: Jessie and Bill; Michael (Darren); Scott (Kaleigh); Joe (Tara); Mac and Nova Traverse; Shawn Wingham and Kim Billings; Lynn Goodyear and Ed Traverse; Clara (Nick) Traverse; Melony and Gracie Soukoroff; Lesley Blunt; Harvey and Grace Lewis; and the entire Traverse and Lewis families.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Fernie Hospital, Dr. Tiffany Vracas, and the compassionate team at Rocky Mountain Village for their exceptional care.

A memorial Mass will be held at the Catholic Church, at a later date this fall, to celebrate Gienia’s life and the love she brought to all who knew her.